Football/Soccer 24-Hour Briefing
×Champions League Action
Harry Kane espn.com trained following a calf injury and is traveling with the Bayern Munich squad to Italy ahead of Tuesday's Champions League game at Atalanta. Meanwhile, Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson espn.com has not traveled to Istanbul for the Champions League last-16 first leg against Galatasaray after sustaining a problem in training.
Premier League & Domestic Cups
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe bbc.com challenged his players to seize the moment and follow in the footsteps of the side who defeated Barcelona in 1997. In Scotland, St Mirren defeated Partick Thistle skysports.com 2-1 to book their place in the Scottish Cup semi-finals, while Falkirk and Dunfermline Athletic bbc.com will meet in a Scottish Cup semi-final derby at Hampden next month. Celtic will face St Mirren in a repeat of this season's League Cup final.
Injury Concerns
Sergiño Dest espn.com insists his season isn't over after suffering a hamstring injury, but if it is, that's a headache the U.S. doesn't need for the World Cup. Rodri skysports.com has escaped a ban for hitting out at officials following Manchester City's 2-2 draw at Tottenham last month.
Managerial Moves & Speculation
Real Madrid have Mauricio Pochettino espn.com on the shortlist of candidates to replace Álvaro Arbeloa ahead next season, different sources told ESPN. Former Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández espn.com says Joan Laporta blocked Lionel Messi's return to the club because he feared a war and a power struggle.
International Football
João Pedro espn.com has hailed his "special" first season at Chelsea after firing himself into contention to lead the line for Brazil at this summer's World Cup. FIFPRO espn.com says it expects FIFA, the AFC, and the Australian government to exert leverage to ensure the safety of Iran's women's national team players. Iraq coach Graham Arnold espn.com is asking FIFA to come to Iraq's aid as the conflict between neighboring Iran and the United States threatens to derail his plans to help his team to its first World Cup in 40 years.
Brazil & South America
Cruzeiro's 1-0 win over Atlético-MG espn.com in Sunday's Mineiro Championship final was overshadowed by a mass brawl that erupted seconds before the final whistle and resulted in 23 red cards issued. Former Brazil forward Hulk bbc.com said "It's regrettable" after becoming one of 23 players sent off following the mass brawl between Cruzeiro and Atletico Mineiro.
Other Developments
Watford Women bbc.com are to play their final two home games of the season at Vicarage Way after a 14-0 win put them in pole position to win promotion to WSL. Benfica coach Jose Mourinho espn.com accused FC Porto assistant manager Luis 'Lucho' Gonzalez of calling him "a traitor" 50 times during Sunday's 2-2 draw.
Women's Football
Michael McArdle bbc.com, the Scottish FA's head of elite women's football and former interim head coach of Scotland, is appointed Northern Ireland manager. Sabrina Wittmann skysports.com, the first woman to take charge of a men's team in Germany's top three divisions when she was appointed head coach of Ingolstadt, continues making history.
MLS & North America
Three games in espn.com and the Vancouver Whitecaps are absolutely purring. All that and more in this week's edition of ESPN's MLS Power Rankings. Wiki Carmona espn.com scored two goals against his former team after Prince Owusu found the net on a penalty kick and CF Montreal thumped Red Bull New York 3-0 on Sunday.
Player Performances
Wayne Rooney espn.com has urged Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to ignore "very unfair" criticism of the Premier League leaders' playing style. Pep Guardiola espn.com said he gave Erling Haaland the night off against Newcastle to allow the striker to rediscover his "pace" before the Champions League trip to Real Madrid.
Historical & Cultural Notes
Adidas espn.com is going back to the '90s by releasing a replica of the iconic denim-look jersey worn by the USMNT during the 1994 World Cup. Phil Parkinson bbc.com says Wayne Rooney's praise for Wrexham's FA Cup display against Chelsea is an "incredible tribute" for the club.